In this section we will examine the effects of the mahele
(land division and privitization) on the ahupua'a of Nawiliwili
Bay. Once the land was in European hands, what did they do with
it. How were the native ecosystems at Nawiliwili Bay affected?

Plantation Land uses the wonderful
archival archaeology of Carol Silva's report in Archaeological
Investigation of Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge Ha'iku, Niumalu,
Kaua'i to describe the history of Kaua'i in the 19th century.
Another historical observer is Ethel Damon in Koamalu. The
quote about the vandalizing of Lihu'e forests is from The
Hawaiian Journal of History.

European contact accelerated
the changes in the native ecosystems of Nawiliwili Bay. The
greatest early effects were from introduced grazing and browsing
animals - especially feral (wild) cattle, goats, and sheep.
By 1850, some of the lo'i in Hule'ia were not cultivated
due to depredation (damage) by cattle. The total in the Hule'ia
herd in 1846 was 265. In 1847, the government entered into a
10 year contract to control these cattle. (Carol Silva)

Around 1860, many lo'i were converted into rice paddies. This
resulted in a shortage of poi, which is considered a famine
by Hawaiian standards. These lo'i also carried their
water rights with them when converted to rice. (Carol Silva)

Besides being damaged by wild cattle, the forests had also
been cut for firewood and sandalwood. Once sugar cultivation
and ranching began, more large areas of kula lands
were converted for agriculture, and even more firewood was
cut to run the mill.
(Ethel Damon)

One observer noted about the hills
above Lihu'e: "The country was undergoing the process of
denudation. Non-resident landlords, large landholders, have
in most cases leased out their lands by long leases to vandal-like
tennants, who are making the most of their time and their bargain
by cutting down the forests, and supplying the sugar mills,
shipping, and even Honolulu with wood....sixteen years ago,
where beautiful kukui groves gladdened the scene is now a barren
plain." (Hawaiian Journal of History)

When rain falls, water that runs off the surface into streams
is quickly lost to the ocean. Water that percolates(slowly
filters) through the soil into the ground water is a resource
that slowly recharges water in the stream. The role of the
forest in this process is to slow down the run off of rain
and allow it to percolate into the groundwater. In this way,
forests help to sustain the water resource

photo by David Boynton, pilot Casey
Riemer of Jack Harter Helicopters

Hahai no ka ua
i ka ulula'auRain always follows the
forestKnowing this, the Hawaiians hewed (cut)
only the trees that were needed.Oleleo No'eau # 405

Finally realizing the
connection between the loss of forests and shrinking stream
flow, G.N. Wilcox, followed by Paul Isenberg, engaged in limited
reforestation efforts with non-native trees at Grove Farm and
Lihu'e Plantation.(Ethel Damon) It was not until 1903 that the
government began its own reforestation program, with 50% of
the trees planted being eucalyptus. Eucalyptus, however, was
not the best choice. With its inefficient use of water and ability
to stop understory (low ground plants below the canopy) growth,
eucalyptus did not slow the surface run off of rain as well
as the native forest.

Eucalyptus forest on
Ha'upu Ridge at Kipu - planted at the beginning of the 20th
century. photo by John Schlegel

The ahupua'a at Nawiliwili Bay maintained
their agricultural production through the 19th century. Kalo,
'awa, and wauke cultivation gave way to pasturage,
ranching, dairying, and some taro planting. These in turn shared
the area with rice cultivation and large areas of sugar cane
- the new market exports.
(Carol Silva)

Carol Silva - "The onset of
large-scale rice and sugar cultivation in the late nineteenth
and twentieth centuries had definite impacts on land, water
use and development in the valley. Rice cultivation and localized
milling encouraged Chinese and Japanese to settle in Hule'ia.
A steadfast Hawaiian population was sustained through time.
They remained anchored to their lands by taro cultivation."

Carol Silva continues: "In addition, they were able to
adapt to changing economics by cultivating rice and other truck
crops, lei flowers and fruit trees for home consumption and
market. They supplemented a diet of river fish and shellfish
with domesticated animals. They were resourceful, hard-working
and were able to culturally preserve a lifestyle with which
they were comfortable."

Photo courtesy of the Baker Collection,
Kaua'i Historical Society

Carol Silva continues,"Sugar cultivation had marginal effects
on land use and more noticeable impacts upon water. As a result
of water diversion by means of major ditches, water volume in
the river decreased. Yet springs were so prolific in the valley
(Hule'ia) that these always guaranteed a reliable supply for
irrigation."

Pictured above, the growing town
of Lihu'e would have an impact on the quality of Nawiliwili
Stream. This shot is downstream from the mill, which is visible
to the upper left. Rice St. would be to the right and above
the houses.

As the population grew, there were
more houses and activity along the Nawiliwili Stream. In the
ahupua'a system of land management, the type of activity along
a stream was determined by its effect on the water resource.
From Native Planters - Great care was taken not
to pollute streams. There was a place for bathing (au
au) low down in the stream; a place up farther along
the stream for washing utensils or soaking calabashes; still
farther up were the dams for the auwai; and above
the dams was the place where drinking water was taken.

"Land was vital, and water was
vital, and neither one was of an avail (use) without the other."(
Ethel Damon) The plantations knew this. How did they use and
redirect the water resource?